Age, m'dear, age. I'm going to sing my usual tune: wait until the next episode. The first one was disappointing, but at least they're trying. And hey, we got a sex scene! SG1 never gave us that. Only hints.

Age, hm? I think I must have a little problem with that myself, because I can't stand two young women I watched last night. The new gal in Sanctuary is a cliché. The Senator's daughter in SGU is even less than that...she's a zero.

At least SGU had a decent story to tell, although I could have done without that last-minute attempt to generate some suspense by dredging up still another cliché (Will they make it to the gate before it closes?). But I've been unable to warm to any of the Sanctuary cast, including Amanda Tapping -- for whom I have a great deal of respect. There's just no connection.

I watched the last Sanctuary almost by accident -- and I liked it! Logical story line, nothing too outré, entertaining critters. Amanda Tapping got to do a grieving-mother scene, and she did it well. That must be an extremely difficult form of acting, with no props, other characters, or even scenery to provide focus. Just stand in front of the green screen and let loose.

SGU is making it extremely difficult for me to play "Let's pretend!" A communication system that puts shipboard people back in their lives on earth? Not holograms, because they interact with family members, etc. And this communication system works across billions of lightyears of space?? Oh, come on! Phooey.

Sanctuary, on the other hand, had another pretty good episode. It had a magical ending, restoring the world to the way it was before the plague hit. But you accept an impossible ending on this show, because it's fantasy. SGU is mixing fantasy with SF and doesn't seem to recognize the difference.

Yeah, that's some communication system all right. Pure fantasy. Wish fulfillment. Dumb writing. Just one more example of how all SF on TV ultimately disappoints. Or am I the only one? I'm still not over the revelation that Starbuck was a ghost. Gack.